Pledge of Allegiance - Red Skelton

- The Pledge of Allegiance -

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation, under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

[ "Under God" was added in 1954 ]

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - RED SKELTON

When just school age, Red Skelton had a teacher who analyzed the Pledge of Allegiance explaining the words and the meanings. His recollection and later recording of the lecture is below, followed by his own observation.

Brief Biography of Red Skelton

Red Skelton was a movie star and comedian of the 1950s with appearances extending into the 60s. He created a number of characters in his monologs and skits. The character I most remember was of a half-drunk bum. Skelton with tattered coat and beat up hat humored millions as "Freddy the freeloader." His television show was performed live and during one of them, he recited the above rendition of the "Pledge of Allegiance."

To hear the recorded rendition by Red Skelton click here.

Rendition of the Pledge as recorded by Red Skelton

I --- Me; an individual; a committee of one.

PLEDGE --- Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.

ALLEGIANCE --- My love and my devotion.

TO THE FLAG --- Our standard; Old Glory; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.

UNITED --- That means that we have all come together.

STATES --- Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC --- Republic -- a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

FOR WHICH IT STANDS

ONE NATION --- One Nation so blessed by God..

[ "Under God" was added in 1954 ]

INDIVISIBLE --- Incapable of being divided.

WITH LIBERTY --- Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.

AND JUSTICE --- The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.

FOR ALL --- For All, which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, Under God indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too?
- Red Skelton

- The Pledge of Allegiance -

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation, under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

The history of the Pledge of Allegiance
can be found with the American Flag TimeLine.